Fermentation tube



Jan, 11, 1927.

P- c cclA FERMENTATI 0N TUBE Filed Sept. 8, 1925 1 l -Illilllllllll INVENTOR Patented Jan. 11, 1927.

r GACCIA, or new Yo'Rir, N1

FERMENTATION TUBE.

Application filed September 8, 1925. Serial No. 55,168.

This invention relates to improvements in fermentation tubes, and has for its object the provision of an apparatus accurate and rapid in operation, yet exceedingly simple in construction.

The lnvention comprises further features and combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawing and claimed.

In the drawlng 1s shown an elevation of the apparatus embodying features of 1nven- 7 tion.

Referring now in particular to the accompanying drawing, the apparatus comprises essentially a tube A connected to a bulb O by means of an angularly disposed neck portion, and supported on the base portion p. Arranged coextensively with said tube A is a pipette B, which latter is rigidly connected to said tube A by means of the supports m and a, and further has its lower end flexibly connected to a receptacle G through the medium of a rubber tube S.

4 The upper ends of said tube A and pipette B are joined by glass tube sections 8 and r carrying a two-way cock D from which latter is directed another tube section If leading to other apparatus (not shown). By this arrangement it is obvious that open communication between said tube A and pipette B may be established by the manipulation of said cock D, or communication may be established direct from the pipette B through the sections 8 and t to other apparatus, as above referred to.

In the operation of the apparatus a quan tity of 5N NaOH is placed in the receptacle C, which latter is elevated until the liquid passes into the graduated pipette B. When the NaOH solution reaches the cock D, the latter will be closed and the receptacle'C placed upon a suitable support.

A quantity of the liquid (10cc) the sugar content thereof having been previously determined, will be poured into the bulb O, whereupon a slight inclination of the apparatus will cause said liquid to flow into the tube A, thereby forcing out the air. Due to the atmospheric pressure thefluid does not flow back into the bulb O, and upon 0 adding a very small quantity of metallic mercury into the opening in the bulb 0, said angularly disposed neck portion will be sealed, thus forcing the carbon dioxide formed to pass to the top of said tube A, the liquid in the meantime being forced back into the bulb O. The receptacle C, having been placed underthe level of O, the cock is opened thus permitting the gas collected in the top of said tube A to flow into the graduated pipette B by suction. course, be understood that the opening of the cock D will tend to siphon the liquid in O to the receptacle C. However, the gas which is at the top of tube A passes into B due to the siphon effect above referred to and is absorbed by the liquid in B, (NaOH), which latter is attempting to reach the receptacle C.

If other gases are present, the cock D is manipulated to connect the tube sections .9 and t, which latter will be connected with other gas apparatus for a complete analytical examination, as aforesaid. As we know the volume of CO absorbed by the NaOH we can determine the quantity of sugar contained in the liquid tested. When the amount of CO formed becomes known, the amount of sugar present in the original solution is calculated as follows:

The theoretical yield of carbon dioxide from glucose, according to the equation:

which are'not' absorbed by the NaOH and will remain at the top of 13.. These gases can be taken out and determined with other apparatus as pointed out hereinbefore.

' I claim:

1. Apparatus of the class described, com prising in combination, a tube, a bulb integral with said tube, disposed angularly therewith and in communication with said tube, a graduated pipette disposed coextensive with said tube, means effecting coma W111, of l munication therebetween, and a receptacle flexibly connected to the bottom of said pipette.

2. Apparatus of the class described, comprising in combination, a vertical tube, an angularly disposed bulb integral therewith and in communication With said tube, a graduated pipette disposed coextensive with said tube, means effecting communication therebetween consisting of tube sections and a two-Way cock, a tube section connecting said pipette to other chemical apparatus through the manipulation of said cock and a receptacle in communication With said pipette by means of a flexible tubing.

PIO CACCIA. 

